Steering Knuckle: Removal
WARNING: This page does not describe the selected car, but rather 8 other vehicles, including the 1990 GMC S15 Pickup, 1990 GMC S15 Jimmy, 1990 GMC Pickup, 1990 GMC Cab & Chassis, and 1990 Chevrolet S10 Pickup. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Raise and support vehicle with jack stands, at front lift points. Remove wheel and tire assembly. Remove brake caliper and move out of the way.NOTE: DO NOT place jack stands under lower control arm. Spring tension is needed to break loose ball joint stud.
- Remove hub and rotor assembly. Remove splash shield. Separate tie rod end stud from steering knuckle using Tie Rod Remover (J-6627 ).
- If replacing steering knuckle, carefully remove steering knuckle grease seal. Position jack under lower control arm, near spring seat. Raise jack until lower control arm is just supported.
- Remove cotter pins and nuts from ball joints. Using Ball Joint Separator (J-23742
), separate ball joint studs from steering knuckle. See Fig 1
.CAUTION: Lower control arm must be supported with floor jack during removal and installation of steering knuckle.
- Raise upper control arm to disengage ball joint stud from steering knuckle. Remove steering knuckle.